India-Brunei Relations
Political
The Contacts between India and Brunei have historical and cultural roots as extension of India’s relations with peninsular Malaysia and the Indonesian Island. The diplomatic relations between India and Brunei were established in May 1984. The interest in upgrading bilateral relations started in friendly meetings between late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the Sultan of Brunei at CHOGM meetings, etc. In response to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s invitation, the Sultan of Brunei paid a State visit to India in September 1992 and Indian resident diplomatic missions was opened in Brunei 18 May, 1993. Brunei set up its High Commission in India in 12 August, 1992. By virtue of their common membership of UN, NAM, Commonwealth, ARF etc and as developing countries with strong traditional and cultural ties, Brunei and India enjoy a fair degree of commonality in their perceptions of major international issues. Brunei is supportive of India’s ‘Look East’ policy and expansion and deepening of cooperation with ASEAN. Brunei has taken over as India-ASEAN Coordinator from July 2012 for three years.
The visit of the Sultan of Brunei to India in May 2008 was a landmark in India-Brunei relations. Five MoUs/Agreements were signed during the visit on BIPA, ICT, Culture, Trade and Space.
India participated at BRIDEX (The Brunei Darssalam International Defence Exhibition & Conference) in 2009 and 2011. Indian Navy Ships INS Ranvir and INS Jyoti visited Brunei in May 2011 on goodwill visits. Indian Coast Guard Ship Sagar, the first by a coast guard vessel, visited Brunei on 27-30 June, 2011 while INS Airavat visited Brunei on 4-9 July, 2011 to participate in the first-ever Brunei International Fleet Review to mark the 50th anniversary of Royal Brunei Armed Forces. A Bruneian ship – ‘KDB Darulaman’ - participated in MILAN 2012(Andaman). This is notable as it is the first time a Bruneian naval ship ventured out of the South China Sea. Bruneian Deputy Minister of Defence visited India in 2010 and 2012 to participate in the DEFEXO exhibitions and called on Raksha Mantri and Deputy Defence Minister. INS Gharial participated in the ASEAN Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Medical Medicine Exercise (HADR & MM Ex) in Brunei on 10-22 June, 2013. Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, FOC (Eastern Naval Command) also paid a visit to Brunei in connection with the HADR & MM Exercise. ICGS Sagar visited Brunei again on 9-12 March, 2014 on
goodwill visit.
During the last four years, the Ministerial visits from India to Brunei were: Shri Vyalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs in December 2009; Shri Sultan Ahmed, Minister of State for Tourism, in January 2010 to attend the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2010; Shri E. Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs and Shri RPN Singh, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, in September 2011. In October 2012, Shri SM Krishna, External Affairs Minister (EAM), visited Brunei on 19-20 October, 2012. This was the first time that EAM visited Brunei on a bilateral visit. Shri Salman Khurshid, EAM visited Brunei from 28 June to 2 July, 2013 to participate in ASEAN-India Post-Ministerial Conference / 20th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and 3rd East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Shri Anand Sharma, Commerce & Industry Minister, led an Indian delegation to 11th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ meeting in Brunei on 17-21 August, 2013. The delegates participated in Prep ASEAN-India TNC & SEOM preparatory meeting also. Shri Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Defence and Youth Affairs and Sports (IC), attended the 2nd ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Brunei on 28-29 August, 2013.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh led the Indian delegation to the 11th ASEAN-India Summit and 8th EAS Summit held in Brunei on 9-10 October, 2013. This was the first-ever visit of Prime Minister to Brunei. The 6th Foreign Office Consultations with Brunei were held in December 2011.
Commercial:
The trade figures between India and Brunei during the last five years according to DGCIS KOLKATA, are given below:
According to Bruneian authorities, there was increase in bilateral trade between 2010 to 2011 – the exports increased from $34.22 m to $36.53m; and our imports rose from $674m to $1266 m (Rs.50b, approx.), mainly due to rise in petroleum off take by Indian petrochemical companies.
The reasons inhibiting bilateral trade have been relatively high shipping costs, and Brunei’s small population base of 411,000. The main import of India from Brunei in the last few years is crude oil. Due to the small size of demand, most of the consumer goods from India are received in Brunei through re-exports via Malaysia and Singapore. In the services
sector, Indian manpower has been coming to Brunei in reasonably good numbers, both highly qualified professionals, and skilled/semi-skilled workers.
India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement: ASEAN and India signed the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation at the 2nd ASEAN-India Summit in 2003. Pursuant to FTA with ASEAN in 2009, India’s Free Trade Agreement on Goods with Brunei became effective from 1 November, 2010, slashing import duties on products like seafood, chemicals, apparels, etc. Brunei became the seventh country in implementing the FTA. The Framework Agreement envisages the establishment of an ASEAN-India Regional Trade and Investment Area (RTIA) as a long-term objective.
The successful conclusion of the negotiation on ASEAN-India Trade in Services and Investment Agreements during the Commemorative Summit in Delhi on 20 December, 2012 is expectedly to give a big boost to both bilateral as well as regional trade. However, final negotiations are proving lengthy and it is now likely to be submerged by the negotiations on
the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The MoU on ICT is opening opportunities for presence of India in Brunei. Government of Brunei is committed to an amount of $1 billion for both infrastructure and e-governance.
Cultural:
Negara Brunei Darussalam, i.e., “State of Brunei - Abode of Peace”, or “Brunei Darussalam”, or just “Brunei”, is one of the oldest continuing monarchies in the world and one of the few executive ones. Its earliest known history dates back to 6th century, when Brunei was called “Puni” (possibly a distortion of the Sanskrit “Baruni”), or “Poli”. Brunei, then a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom, had linkages with the famed Sri Vijaya and Majapahit empires of the region, as well as with China. In the late 14th century, Brunei converted into an Islamic Sultanate when its ruler, Awang Alak Betatar, married a Muslim Johore princess from Malacca, and embraced Islam to become Brunei’s first Sultan – Mohammed Shah. Malay customs,
rituals and culture have much of India – Hindu origin. Bollywood film stars, movies and filmy music are also very popular.
ASEAN-India
To mark the 20th year of ASEAN-India Dialogue and the 10th anniversary of ASEAN-India Summit, a Manipuri Dance recital featuring Priti Patel and Anjika Group performed in Brunei on 30 November, 2012. An ASEAN-India Art Exhibition ‘Merging Metaphors’ exhibiting art works of artists from ASEAN and India was organized at Waterfront Gallery, Bandar Seri Begawan on 6-13 December, 2012. Indian Naval Sail Training Ship Sudarshini paid a port call at Brunei from 21-24 November 2012 and a nine-member Bruneian team participated in the ASEAN-Indian Car Rally. A cultural troupe from Brunei joined the Gala Dinner festivities during the Commemorative Summit in December 2012.
The Sultan participated in the Asean-India Commemorative Summit held in New Delhi on 20-21 December, 2012. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation which included the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II and Minister of Finance II at Prime Minister’s Office. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II Pehin Lim Jock Seng led the Bruneian delegation to the 2nd India-ASEAN Business Fair in New Delhi which included Pehin Mahdini, the Chairman of Brunei India Friendship Association (BIFA) and Mr. Nazeer Ahmed, President of Indian Chamber of Commerce in Brunei.
Indian Community:
The discovery of oil in Brunei in 1929 brought a number of Indians to Brunei to work in the hydrocarbon sector and allied services. Shri Mohinder Singh, now a Bruneian citizen, was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2010 in acknowledgement of his outstanding achievements in the field of community service. There is an Indian Chamber of Commerce and other Indian Associations. Majority of the doctors in Brunei are from India.
Other professionals include engineers, IT professionals, bankers, teachers etc. Indian businessmen have a near monopoly in textiles. There are approximately 10,000 Indian nationals living and working in Brunei. The Brunei India Friendship Association (BIFA) was launched in 2009 and the President is a local Malay former Defence Chief Pehin Mahdani, who has also been Brunei’s Ambassador to China.
Useful Resources:
For more information and latest update please visit
High Commission of India, Brunei Darussalam website
The High Commission of India - Home
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July 2014
Source
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
http://www.mea .gov .in/ Portal/ ForeignRelation/ Brunei_July_2014.pdf
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High Commission of India, Brunei Darussalam
Press Release
Hon’ble Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari paid a 3-dayvisit to Brunei Darussalam from 1st to 3rd February, 2016. He was accompanied by Mr. Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Home) and Hon’ble Members of Parliament, Mr. Rajiv Shukla, Mr. Prem Das Rai, Mr. Bhupendra Yadav, and Ms Anu Aga and an official delegation.
This was the highest level bilateral visit from India since establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1984.
During the visit, Hon’ble Vice President had audience withHis Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. The two leaders discussed areas of bilateral, regional and International interest. The proposal for India to setup a joint venture/investment in the fertilizer sector in Brunei based on locally available natural gas was also discussed. Hon’ble Vice President conveyed that Electronic Tourist visa facility on arrival would soon be available to Bruneian nationals visiting India.
HRH Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah hosted a luncheon reception in honour of Hon’ble Vice President of India.Hon’ble Speaker of the Legistative Council, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Rahman bin Dato setia Haji Mohamed Taib accompanied by a Legco delegation called on the Hon’ble speaker. Both the leaders exchanged views on their legislative experiences.
During the visit, the MOUs on defence cooperation, Cooperation in Youth and Sports and Cooperation in the Health Sector were signed between the two countries. Both sides decided on the exchange of visits to identify the specific areas of cooperation in the defence, youth and sports, Health sector.
Hon’ble Vice President visited the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, attended the Indian community reception hosted in his honour by the High Commissioner of India and delivered a lecture ‘’ India- Brunei, Partners in peace and Prosperity’’ at the University of Brunei Darussalam.
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Bandar Seri Begawan
Brunei Darussalam
03 February, 2016
The High Commission of India - Visit of Sh M. Hamid Ansari, Hon'ble Vice President of India to Brunei February 1-3, 2016
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India - Brunei ties can bring greater prosperity to our people and Peace in the Region: Vice President
Addresses University of Brunei Darussalam
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari said that the time has come for taking our partnership to a higher level in order to bring greater prosperity to our peoples and peace and stability in the region. He was addressing the University of Brunei Darussalam, in Brunei today.
The Vice President mentioned the historical and cultural linkages between Brunei and India that led a strong and abiding relationship. He said that India was among the first to welcome Brunei in the comity of nations when it became independent in 1984 and that His Majesty, the Sultan, enjoys the highest esteem in the hearts and minds of the Indian people.
The Vice President said that the sustained economic growth in India has made India one of the most dependable long term energy markets in the world and energy trade is an area where India and Brunei have strong complementarities. India imports crude oil worth US $1 billion from Brunei making India third largest importer for Brunei. However, as demand expands, the opportunity to enhance export of hydrocarbon to India continues to grow, he added.
Referring to the economy, the Vice President said that India's growth offered space to move beyond the typical seller-buyer relationship in the energy field with the potential to diversify and add value in the hydrocarbon export chain. Therefore, he said that India is keen to work with the Government of Brunei in setting up a fertilizer plant that would make use of the hydrocarbon resources available here for producing fertilizers to meet agricultural requirement in India while generating additional revenue streams and creating local employment.
The Vice President invited investments from Brunei in India's infrastructure and manufacturing sectors by mentioning programmes such as ‘Make in India’, and ‘Digital India’; the creation of 100 Smart Cities and massive road and railways up-gradation and expansion projects. The Vice President thanked Brunei for the assistance and cooperation that has been extended for India’s Space Programmes through the Telemetry Tracking and Telecommand Station of ISRO in Brunei which was a crucial component in India’s spectacular success in deploying the Mangalyaan in orbit around Mars. The Vice President also mentioned Information Technology as an area where India had made rapid strides and in which India would be keen to share its experience and expertise with Brunei. The Vice President also made note of the contributions of the Indian community in Brunei in various fields.
The Vice President said that India and Brunei cooperate closely on several issues in international bodies, including in the UN and the Commonwealth. He appreciated the understanding of Brunei in India's enhanced role at the United Nations and for its candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
Highlighting the threat from the 'scourge of terrorism, the Vice President said that it had become a challenge for all peace loving countries and that India was determined to combat this menace with strong cooperation from like-minded countries. India would be keen to expand its cooperation with Brunei in combating global terrorism, particularly preventing financing of terrorism through sharing of information, he added.
Following is the text of the Vice President's address:
"It is a pleasure for me to be in your beautiful country and to interact with this august audience at the University of Brunei Darussalam.
I bring with me the greetings and good wishes of the Government and the people of India.
I am grateful to His Majesty the Sultan and the people of Brunei Darussalam for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality accorded to my wife and me and members of my delegation.
Under the enlightened rule of His Majesty, your nation has made great progress. Today Brunei is indeed 'the Abode of Peace' and has become an example of a tolerant society.
The historical and cultural linkages between Brunei and India have roots dating back to the 3rd century. These have given us the confidence to forge a strong and abiding relationship in modern times.
India was among the first countries to welcome Brunei in the comity of nations when it gained full independence in 1984. Since then we have shared warm and friendly relations. The visit of His Majesty to India in 1992 and 2008; and again in 2012 for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit held in New Delhi, helped strengthen our ties. His Majesty enjoys the highest esteem in the hearts and minds of the Indian people.
My visit is a reaffirmation of the importance that India accords to its relations with Brunei and our keen desire to further deepen and intensify out relations.
The sustained economic growth in India, driven by a youthful population with rising aspirations, makes India one of the most dependable long term energy markets in the world. Energy trade is an area where India and Brunei have strong complementarities. At present India imports crude oil worth US $1 billion from Brunei. Though India is the third largest importer for Brunei, the total import from Brunei is only a fraction of India’s global crude imports of more than US $112.748 billion in 2014-15.
As India embarks upon a sustained high growth trajectory, the energy requirements in India are increasing. This offers Brunei an opportunity to enhance export of hydrocarbon to India.
The growing Indian economy also provides us with an opportunity to move beyond the typical energy seller-buyer relationship. There is tremendous potential to diversify and do value-addition in the hydrocarbon export chain.
In this context, India is keen to work with the Government of Brunei in setting up a fertilizer plant that would make use of the hydrocarbon resources available here for producing fertilizers to meet agricultural requirement in India. This will generate additional revenue streams and create local employment and thus be mutually beneficial to both the countries.
The Government of India has embarked upon an ambitious infrastructure development policy. Flagship programmes such as ‘Make in India’, and ‘Digital India’; the creation of 100 Smart Cities and massive road and railways up-gradation and expansion projects have opened several avenues for making profitable investments in India’s growing infrastructure sector. We are keen to welcome investments from Brunei in India’s infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.
We are grateful for the assistance and cooperation that has been extended by Brunei for India’s Space Programmes through the Telemetry Tracking and Telecommand Station of ISRO in Brunei. The station was a crucial component in India’s spectacular success in deploying the Mangalyaan in orbit around Mars. We look forward to continuing our cooperation in this area.
Today, the 10,000 strong Indian community of professionals like doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers and skilled personnel is contributing to the economy of Brunei. We are grateful to His Majesty’s Government for the support extended to the expatriate Indian community in Brunei.
The quality of our professionals is a testimony to the strength of academic Institutions in India. This is another area for us to collaborate. We would welcome more exchanges of students, teachers and researchers from the academic institutions in Brunei, including this University. Such exchanges would augment our people to people contacts. We are also keen to work with Brunei to expand mutual tourism by enhancing connectivity and streamlining our visa and travel document requirements.
Information Technology has been an area where India has made rapid strides in recent years. This can be an area for enhancing our mutual cooperation and India would be keen to share its experience and expertise in the field of Information Technology in accordance with the wishes and requirements of the people and government of Brunei.
As trading economies, both India and Brunei have an interest in maintaining the safety of sea-lanes and maritime security. For some years now, Indian naval ships have been visiting Brunei and your ships have also participated in some of joint exercises. This has laid the grounds for deepening our cooperation in the defence sector, including by training of defence personnel in various fields. We would also be open to exploring closer cooperation with Brunei in other areas of mutual interest such as coastal security and disaster preparedness and relief.
India and Brunei cooperate closely on several issues in international bodies, including in the UN and the Commonwealth. We appreciate the understanding of Brunei in India's enhanced role at the United Nations and for its candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
India and Brunei share common perspectives on several global issues, including that of climate change. India has a long history and tradition of harmonious co-existence between man and nature. Human beings here have regarded fauna and flora as part of their family. This is part of our heritage and manifest in our lifestyle and traditional practices. We represent a culture that calls our planet Mother Earth. It is therefore natural for India to be at the forefront of dealing with managing the adverse impact of climate change in the spirit of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The scourge of terrorism is a challenge for all peace loving countries of the world. We are determined to combat this menace with strong cooperation from like-minded countries. We would be keen to expand our cooperation with Brunei in combating global terrorism, particularly preventing financing of terrorism through sharing of information.
Both our countries have equal stakes in the security and prosperity of our shared Asian neighbourhood. The scope of India’s engagement with East and Southeast Asia has grown steadily in the last two decades. We seek to promote not only mutually beneficial bilateral relations, but also to work institutionally with regional partners and foster a climate that is conducive to stability, security and economic development in our region.
It is to the great credit of the ASEAN countries that they have led the way in cooperation and integration, not only among themselves, but also in the broader region. For India, it is an article of faith of our Look-East policy that ASEAN must remain central to the future evolution of regional mechanisms, which must be open and inclusive. We share your vision and aspirations for the region and we applaud your march towards an ASEAN Economic Community.
We value the support extended by Brunei in making India a full dialogue partner of ASEAN and in the ongoing India-ASEAN FTA negotiations. It reflects Brunei's understanding of the "Look East" policy of India, which is aimed at integrating India's multifaceted relations with ASEAN and beyond. Similarly, the decision at the 3rd East Asian Summit at Singapore last November on the Nalanda University initiative is deeply appreciated.
Last year with the advent of a new government, we upgraded our policy towards South-East and East Asia from 'Look East’ to Act East' – to indicate India’s resolve to move with a great sense of priority and speed to intensify our cooperation in security, trade, investment, connectivity and capacity building and strengthening people-to-people linkages with the ASEAN Countries.
Our new ‘Make in India’ initiative opens up new vistas for investments from ASEAN into India. These include sectors such as smart cities, roads and highways, ports, railways, power and urban infrastructure. The India-ASEAN Agreements on Trade in Services and Investment will also unleash large potential for mutual investment. Similarly, we will also encourage our businesses to seize the investment opportunities presented by an economically integrated ASEAN.
Enhancing connectivity between India and ASEAN in all its aspects - physical, institutional and people-to-people, is a key strategic priority for us. Our North-Eastern region is our land-bridge to the ASEAN.v Our excellent bilateral ties with our ASEAN partners, which are largely "sans irritants,” have laid a strong foundation for our Act East Policy. As ASEAN engages in charting out its post-2015 roadmap, India is also working on drafting the ASEAN-India Plan of Action for the period 2016-2021, to translate the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership Vision into concrete action for greater progress and prosperity of our peoples and countries.
We in India are thankful to Brunei for playing a constructive role in deepening of India’s engagement with ASEAN. As Brunei prepares for greater integration into the ASEAN community, India will continue to steadfastly support Brunei in assuming its rightful place in the comity of nation, as a dependable friend and partner.
The time has come for taking our partnership to a higher level in order to bring greater prosperity to our peoples and peace and stability in the region.
We in India are confident that our relationship will continue to prosper and develop.
I thank you for inviting me today.
Long live India- Brunei friendship."
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KSD/BK
(Release ID :136044)
Press Information Bureau
